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Por 'youngsters 

Bui^m^JOVeUs 


Illustrdted by U.BRID6MAN. 


Fleming H. Revel I Companji 


New York 


Chicayo 


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Copyright 1902 t>y 
FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY 
{^September) 




% 
.5 


u.^ 




. \ 

THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

T^»«^ COPtbe Recsived 

OCT, 13 1902 

OOPVRWIHT ENTRY 

%- 

0I.A88 <^Xq No. 

COPY 8. 


Of these rhymes, the majority were originally published in 
8i. Nicholas, The Junior Christian Endeavor World, The Outlook, 
Wide Awake, The Christian Endeavor World, and 'The YoutEs 
Companion. Others were published in Pansy, Our Animal 
Friends, The Advance, Little Folks, The Young People's Weekly, 
The Independent, Our Little 3Ien and Women, Judge, Good House- 
keeping, Young People, Light, Forward, The Delineator, The 
Congregationalist, 7' he Housewife, Santa Claus, and The Nursery. 
A number of them have not been published before. 

I am very grateful indeed to the editors and publishers of 
these periodicals, who have so kindly given me permission to 
use the verses in this book. 



CONTENTS 


MY FOUNTAIN PEN . 




9 

BY PROXY .... 




9 

ELIZABETH .... 




lO 

THE BENEVOLENT BOY . 




1 1 

PUT ON THE SHOE . 




I 2 

A NEWSBOY REFORM . 




H 

THE ABSOLUTE MONARCH 




*5 

HOW THE NEWS CAME . 




i6 

THE HEARTY HEN 




17 

THE TIME TO GET READY 




*9 

HOME FROM SCHOOL 




20 

NONSENSE SONG . 




21 

THE GOOSE EXPLAINS 




23 

A HELPER .... 




24 

PATENT APPLIED FOR 




25 

THE AMBITIOUS KANGAROO 




26 

THE OPENING 




28 

THE CONSIDERATE CROCODILE 



3* 

THE AMBITIOUS ANT 




32 

THE FOOLISH FLAMINGO . 




32 

WHAT HE PROFESSES . 




33 

THE CHILDREN’S KING 




34 

WHERE ? .... 




36 

THE UNLUCKY URCHIN . 




37 

THE FLYING SQUIRREL . 




38 


3 


4 


CONTENTS 


DUMB-BELLS 40 

WERE I THE SUN 41 

HOW STRONG ARE YOU? .... 43 

A PLANE STATEMENT .... 44 

ALL ON ACCOUNT OF THE BABY . . 46 

THE JAUNTY JAY 47 

THE THEORETIC TURTLE ... 48 

MINE 50 

HOW TO BE GREENAWAYS . . .51 

HIGH TIED 52 

WHEN PAPA DRIVES . . . . .53 

GOING! GOING! 55 

THE FATHER IN SCHOOL .... 56 

JOHN CURZON’S WATCH .... 58 

JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BABY ... 59 

A SYMPATHETIC READER .... 60 

“LOST” OPPORTUNITIES .... 62 

THE STEPHENSON OF THE AIR . . 63 

A BIT OF GOOD WORK .... 65 

THE EXTRAORDINARY ELEPHANT . . 67 

THE SONG OF THE LAWN-MOWER . 68 

THE LUCKY FOUR-LEAVED CLOVER . 70 

IN THE CORNER 71 

THE NOTIONAL NIGHTINGALE . . 72 

THE COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH . . 74 

ONE HUNDRED PER CENT. ... 76 

SYMPATHY . 77 

HOW TO SWIM 79 

A KIND-HEADED STATUE .... 82 

THE GHOST OF A FEAR .... 83 

WHAT COULD SHE SAY ? . . . . *4 


CONTENTS 


5 


THE SOUL OF PETER GARCIA 




86 

FORTY WINKS OF SLEEP . 




87 

DOROTHY’S DIMPLES . 




88 

THE NEW-YEAR MINE 




89 

A WEIGHTY MATTER 




9 * 

A MARCH MOTTO 




92 

GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THINGS 


93 

ADVICE ABOUT YOUR STOCKING 



94 

HOW THEY CONJUGATE «‘TO 

HAVE” 


95 

THE REASON WHY 




96 

THE ORACULAR OWL 




97 

NEW YEAR’S BIRDS 




99 

A GOOD SLEEP . 




lOI 

STOP ME! . 




103 

THE BARGAIN 




104 

CARLO AND I . . . 




106 

A MUNICIPAL REFORM 




108 

PILLOW FAIRIES . 




1 1 1 

RECIPE FOR A GOOD LETTER 




1 12 

A PROBLEM IN PHYSIOLOGY 




*13 

FLOWERY . . 




1*5 

THE DAINTY DOG 




117 

AND WHEN THEY ALL MEET 




118 

A STRANGE GARMENT 




119 

MY ALARM CLOCK 




1 20 

A VALENTINE 




*23 

NOT A « MADE-OVER ” YEAR 




124 

A COMPROMISE . 




127 

OUR EDUCATION 




128 

OLD MR. GRUMPY 




129 

SAYING AND DOING . 




130 


6 


CONTENTS 


CLOUD SONG . . . . .131 

THE DANGEROUS DOG . . . .132 

OVER THE SKY 134 

JUST RIGHT 135 

COBWEBS 136 

HURRY AND SPEED 137 

CHRISTMAS WATCHERS . . . .139 

ONE KIND OF LONG LIFE . . .140 

THE CASTLE OF TWENTY YEARS HENCE, 141 

THE GIFTS 143 

TOM’S TOOTH 144 

THE GOOD GIRL 147 

A SERMON FROM THE PEW IN FRONT . 147 

A RECIPE FOR A DAY . . . .148 

A RAINBOW FOUNDATION . . .149 

THE LONELY LION 149 

COINCIDENCES 150 

THE CONSPIRACY OF THE CLOTHES . 151 

THE SECRET OF IT . . . . .155 

PLAYING DOMINOES 156 

“WALK IN LOVE” 


ILL US TRJTIONS 

BY 

L. J. BRIDGMAN 

ROLLICKING RHYMES .... Title 

MY FOUNTAIN PEN 8 

THE HEARTY HEN i8 

NONSENSE SONG 22 

THE AMBITIOUS KANGAROO . . 27 

THE CONSIDERATE CROCODILE . . 30 

THE CHILDREN'S KING .... 35 

WERE I THE SUN 42 

THE THEORETIC TURTLE ... 49 

GOING— GOING! 54 

A SYMPATHETIC READER . . . 61 

THE EXTRAORDINARY ELEPHANT . . 66 

THE NOTIONAL NIGHTINGALE . . 73 

HOW TO SWIM 78 

WHAT COULD SHE SAY? ... 85 

A WEIGHTY MATTER 90 

THE ORACULAR OWL .... 98 

STOP ME! 102 

A MUNICIPAL REFORM .... 109 

FLOWERY 1 14 

MY ALARM CLOCK 121 

A COMPROMISE 126 

THE DANGEROUS DOG . . . . 133 

CHRISTMAS WATCHERS . . . .138 

TOM’S TOOTH 145 

THE CONSPIRACY OF THE CLOTHES . 152 

7 




Rollicking Rhymes 


MY FOUNTAIN PEN. 

F airies, fill my fountain pen ! 

Fill it full of fancies, 
Rhymes that flit and come again 
As a fairy dances. 

Fill it full of merriment 
Bright and bubbling over. 
Charge it with the happy scent 
Of the happy clover. 

Joy shall fill my fountain pen 
That all joy surpasses. 

For it shall not write for men. 

But for lads and lasses ! 


BY PROXY. 

Y oung Timothy Timid is cautious and 
wealthy ; 

He has heard that bicycle owners are 
healthy, 


9 


lO 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


And being himself but a weak-chested 
youth, 

He bought him a wheel, — and a beauty, in 
truth. 

A pity,” he said, as he viewed it with 
pride. 

To scar it and batter it learning to ride ; 

And worse (what is likely) to batter my- 
self. 

I cannot do better than hire with my pelf 

Some cycler to ride in my stead, and be rid 

Of all danger and worry and work.” So 
he did. 


ELIZABETH. 

I KNOW a little lady — such a very stately 
dame I 

She's queen of all the lassies, and Eliza- 
beth’s her name. 

1 also know a damsel made to romp with 
and caress ; 

So 1 keep a welcome ready for my darling 
little Bess. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


11 


And mother shows me working, just a* 
quiet as a mouse, 

A pleasant little girl named Beth, the 
helper of the house. 

And sister shows me Lizzie, who goes with 
her to school. 

Who sometimes gets a lesson, and some- 
times breaks a rule. 

I’m acquainted with another child I’d 
rather never see ; 

For this young girl, named Betsey, is as 
cross as she can be. 

Now, would you ever guess it ? These five 
are but the same 

Kaleidoscopic lassie ! And Elizabeth’s her 
name. 


THE BENEVOLENT BOY. 

A very benevolent hoy, 0 ho ! 

A very benevolent boy ! 

He said, '‘0 1 wish I had silver and gold ! 
I’d fill a big house till no more it could hold 
With every nice candy and toy I 
This exceedingly generous boy ! 


12 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


And my Christmas dollar ? O pshaw I 
don^t you see ? 

I'll have to keep that to buy candy for me ! " 
This very benevolent boy I 


PUT ON THE SHOE. 


H ave you heard the old saw of the 
Persians, 

That saying both witty and true, 

** The whole world is covered with leather 
To him who is shod with a shoe " ? 

Fine calfskin or kid or morocco. 

Great cavalry boots armed with steel, 
The daintiest, jauntiest slippers. 

Coarse brogues tumbled down at the 
heel — 

What matter the differing fashions ? — 

The richest and poorest of you 
Will find the whole world clad in leather 
As soon as you put on your shoe ! 

Before, it was cold and uneven, 

Rough pebbles and sharp bits of glass. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


13 


Now, presto ! a smooth and warm pave- 
ment 

Wherever it please you to pass. 

But ah ! there’s a maid — have you seen 
her? — 

A little maid cheery and sweet, 

Who daintily trips, yet I see not 
What leather she wears on her feet ; 

For I know by her sunny eyes’ sparkle, 
And by the calm curve of her mouth. 
And by the kind grace of her manners. 
Like warm breezes fresh from the South, 
I know that wherever her foot falls 
On loving task speeding or sent — 

The cobbler may laugh, but I care not — 
She is shod with the shoe of content ! 

And, little maid, though Cinderella 

Might claim your wee shoe for her own, 
And borrowing’s out of the question 
For me, with my sevens ” outgrown. 
Just whisper the secret, I pray thee ; 

Come, what are the shop and the street, 
And where is the cobbler who fashions 
Such beautiful gear for the feet ? 




ROLLICKING RHYMES 


111 go and 111 offer a treasure 

Will make his big spectacles shine, 

If only two shoes — somewhat larger — 

Like your little shoes, can be mine ! 

And then I will don them, and leaping 
Off over the world will I go. 

Off over my frets and my worries. 

Off over my aches and my woe. 

And loudly to all limping grumblers 
My shoemaker cheer shall be sent : 

** The whole world is covered with gladness 
To him who is shod with content I 


A NEWSBOY REFORM. 

A KINDLY old musician named De- 
Witt Alonzo Throte, 

Has taught the newsboys in his town to 
cry their wares by note. 

They sing the last edition to the strains of 
“ Bonnie Doon,^^ 

And celebrate the accidents with voices all 
in tune. 

The bases and the tenors roam in couples 
through the street, 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


15 


And serenade with sweet duets the travellers 
they meet. 

Their sales are twice as many as they ever 
were before, 

For the buying of a paper is the recognized 
encore I 


THE ABSOLUTE MONARCH. 

A mighty king, long, long ago, 

With voice of grief and face of woe 
To his Court Wizard did complain : 

“ Sir Wizard, I am said to reign. 

But what with councillors, and hordes 
Of bishops, judges, generals, lords. 

Prime ministers, and those they call 
The People, I’ve no right at all 
To call my life my own. They talk 
Of duty, laws and charters, balk 
My wishes, dog my steps, torment 
My every hour with precedent. 

State tactics and prerogative. 

Till I would rather die than live. 

I bid thee then, — if aught I hold 
Of royal power to bid, — be bold. 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


i6 


Take thou my crown, I grudge it not, 
And give me in exchange a lot, 

I care not how confined it be. 

Wherein is absolute sovereignty ! 

Then groaned the wizard sad, but still 
Received the crown against his will. 
And swift, with wand and astrolabe, he 
Transformed the king into a baby ! 


HOW THE NEWS CAME. 

was a hawk first caught the glimmer 
A from the top of Bradford’s Hill ; 
Swift he flew to tell the mastiff* who keeps 
guard at Saunder’s mill ; 

Loud the mastiff* barked, He’s coming I 
Sun is coming ! Coming soon I ” 
And a little squirrel heard it far away at 
Hazeldoon ; 

Like a flash the squirrel bounded up the 
hill and down the glen. 

And he told the joyful message to a sleepy 
little wren ; 

Up she started, chirping loudly, “ Sun is 
coming ! Almost here ! ” 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


17 


And her eager little chirping woke our 
brave old chanticleer ; 

Boldly he sang out the tidings, loud and 
clear as call could be — 

And the rooster by his crowing told the 
gladsome news to me. 


THE HEARTY HEN. 

A HAPPY old hen met a discontented 
duck. 

Cluck ! cluck ! quack ! quack I 
quack ! 

Said he, “I always have the very worst of 
luck. 

Quack ! quack quack I 
Said she, Of happiness I never lack ! 
Cluck ! cluck ! cluck ! 

But what do you do when it rains all day ? 

Quack I quack ! quack ! ” 

I find a cozy corner and there I stay ! 

Cluck ! cluck ! cluck I ” 

And what do you do when the sun is hot ? 
Quack I quack ! quack ! 






FOR YOUNGSTERS 


19 


My chicks and I find a shady spot ! 

Cluck I cluck ! cluck 1 ” 

And what will you do when you’re killed 
to be eaten ? 

Quack ! quack 1 quack I ” 

“ I’ll make a potpie that can’t be beaten I 
Cluck ! cluck ! cluck ! ” 


THE TIME TO GET READY. 

''JOCKEY, little horse-jockey, riding to 
O the race. 

Jaunty is your bearing, confident your 
face. 

Beautiful your goodly steed so powerful 
and fieet — 

But what, my little jockey, is the matter 
with his feet ? ” 

" The shoes are loose, kind stranger. Their 
click it is you hear. 

But I myself will fasten them securely, 
never fear. 

Since I have brought my tools along, to 
tighten every shoe ; 


20 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


For while the horse is racing, I’ll have 
nothing else to do ! ” 

“Jaunty little horse-jockey, with your 
silly plan, 

You are not more foolish than many a 
foolish man — 

Up into the saddle, off for the race of life. 

Expecting to get ready in the middle of the 
strife.” 


HOME FROM SCHOOL. 

T he western sun comes softly in 
Through hall door open wide. 
Young Rover lies with low-stretched chin 
Upon the steps outside. 

The great hall clock ticks sleepily ; 

A hint of clucking hen 
Comes from the yard uncertainly, 

Then all is still again. 

But hark ! A banging of the gate ! 

A clatter up the walk ! 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


21 


A tangle of blithe sounds elate 
In song and laugh and talk ! 

Loud strikes the clock, the chickens flee, 
Rover’s a frantic fool ; 

The very sunshine laughs to see 
The children home from school 1 


NONSENSE SONG. 

HE Jack and the Jolick and the Jam- 



X borie. 

They climbed up into the banyan tree. 


They climbed to the top. 
But they had to stop. 


For no more foothold could they see. 

The Jack and the Jolick and the Jamborie 
To climb still farther did all agree. 

So the Jack stood up on the topmost limb. 
And then the Jolick climbed over him. 
Over the two went the Jamborie, — 

He climbed up quickly the world to see. 
And then the Jack from the topmost limb. 
With grin and chuckle, climbed after him. 


To the top climbed he. 
The world to see, 


And there in the air swung all the three. 



1 

I 


j 




FOR YOUNGSTERS 


23 


The Jolick gleefully followed the Jack, 

And quickly reached the topmost back. 
And then again went the Jamborie 
Up to the top, the world to see. 

On they are going, and on and on ; 

Theydl reach the stars before they are 
done ! 


THE GOOSE EXPLAINS. 

I T was a goose who sadly cried, 

Alas ! Alas ! The farm is wide. 

And large the barnyard company. 

But no one ever looks at me ; 

There really seems to be no use. 

Or praise, or glory, for a goose. 

They pet the dog whose bark and bite 
Scare tramps by day and thieves by night ; 
But when I bravely stand on guard. 

And drive intruders from the yard, 

They laugh at me. The kitten plays. 

And all admire her cunning ways ; 

But when I venture in the room. 

To play, in turn, some stick or broom 
Soon drives me out. Those birds they call 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


24 


Canaries cannot sing at all 
In my sweet fashion ; yet their lay 
Is praised — from mine folks turn away. 
They prize the horse who pulls the cart ; 
But when I try to do my part, 

And mount the shafts to help him draw, 
They whip me off. Last week I saw 
Two stupid horses pull a plow, 

I watched the work, I learned just how ; 
Then, with my bill, I did the same 
In flower-beds, and got only blame. 

It really seems of little use 

To try to help — when one’s a goose I ” 


A HELPER. 

{True.) 

“ T^EAR me I ” wailed all the household — 
A Monday morning chorus — 

How can we ever flnish 
The work that lies before us ? ” 


But midway in the wailing 
Our groans to laughter shifted. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


25 


For Babe was in the corner, 

His hands devoutly lifted. 

** Why, Babe I This isnT bedtime I ” 
We cry when we, discover. 

I fought I’d thay my pwayers. 

And det just that much over.” 


PATENT APPLIED FOR. 

M y dear Mr. Carpenter : 

Please call at eight. 

All prepared with your tools to mend my 
front gate. 

The latch has been broken. And pray 
bring with you 

Not one latch, but though it seem strange, 
sir, bring two. 

For I have a notion. It’s awkward, you 
know. 

Half the time, when you pass through a 
gateway, to throw 

Your arm over the pickets, and fumble 
around 


26 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


For the latch, out of sight. And now, sir, 
IVe found 

A remedy for this : one latch on each side ! 
There^s a notion worth having ! In fact, 
I’ve applied 

For a patent upon it. Remember, — at 
eight. 

With your tools, and two latches. 

Yours, 

J. Addle Pate. 


THE AMBITIOUS KANGAROO. 

T hey held a great meeting a king to 
select. 

And the kangaroo rose in a dignified 
way. 

And said, ‘‘ I’m the one you should surely 
elect, 

For I can out-leap every beast here to- 
day.” 

Said the eagle, How high can you climb 
toward the sky ? ” 

Said the nightingale, Favor us, please, 
with a song ! ” 








28 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Said the hawk, “ Let us measure our powers 
of eye ! 

Said the lion, Come, wrestle, and prove 
you are strong ! 

But the kangaroo said, “ It would surely be 
best. 

In our choice of a king, to make leaping 
the test ! 


THE OPENING. 

T he Castle of Delight, I heard. 

Is barred, at entrance, with this 
word : 

None but a hero here may rest. 

And they who honor him the best.'’ 

And so I fought on land and sea. 

And many bent their knees to me. 


And with my faithful troops, in state 
I marched up to the castle gate. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


29 


But bugle call, nor ram, nor mine, 
Moved on its hinge the door divine. 


I taught my tongue the sacred skill 
To move men^s souls to meet my will, 


And with the applauding crowd, elate, 
I sought again the castle gate. 


But they who held these towers gray 
Were deaf to all that I could say. 

I lived in caves afar from man, 

I thought deep mysteries to scan. 

And with disciples in my train 
I sought the castle gate again. 


But all the hermit’s sanctity 
Would not unbar the gate for me. 

Then I went home, my longing spent , 
My hands I clenched, my back I bent. 






FOR YOUNGSTERS 


31 


I did whatever nearest came, 

I ivon a f riend to do the same. 

One day while walking, he and I, 
We chanced to pass the castle by, 

And all in sport the gate I tried ; 
When lo, the portal opened wide I 

And lo, a strangely beauteous sight 
Appeared the Castle of Delight ! 

We entered in with right good will. 
And there we two are living still. 


THE CONSIDERATE CROCODILE. 

T here was once a considerate croco- 
dile 

Who lay on the hanks of the river Nile, 
And he swallowed a fish with a face of 
woe. 

While his tears ran fast to the stream 
below. 


32 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


“ I am mourning,” said he, “ the untimely 
fate 

Of the dear little fish that I just now 
ate ! ” 


THE AMBITIOUS ANT. 

HE ambitious ant would a-travel- 



X ling go, 

To see the pyramid's wonderful show. 

He crossed a brook and a field of rye, 

And came to the foot of a haystack high. 

“ Ah ! wonderful pyramid ! then cried he ; 
“ How glad I am that I crossed the sea ! 


THE FOOLISH FLAMINGO. 

T he foolish flamingo she looked in the 
glass. 

Ah, foolish flamingo ! 

She fell in love with herself, alas ! 


Ah, foolish flamingo ! 


Her beaux all exclaimed as they left in a 


huff. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


33 


“ The bird has one lover, and one is 
enough I ” 

Ah, foolish flamingo! 


WHAT HE PROFESSES. 

I KNOW a professor of Greek and of 
Latin ; 

His nouns and his verbs he is not at all 
pat in, 

But he knows how to wield the plane, 
hammer, and saw, 

He knows how to paint, how to etch and to 
draw. 

How to decorate dishes and satin. 

He can play on the flute and the violin- 
cello. 

He raises fine fruit, large and juicy and 
mellow. 

He will write you a sonnet, an ode, or a 

play, 

He will sing you a song in an elegant 
way; 

He^s a very versatile fellow. 


34 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


But I know a shrewd student whose im- 
pudent guess is, — 

(To account for the way the professor 
digresses 

From his Latin and Greek, art and farming 
unto), — 

That these are the things the professor can 

doy 

While the classics he merely — 'professes ! 


THE CHILDREN’S KING. 

T here once was a merry old monarch 
Who ruled in a frolicsome way. 

He cut up high jinks with the children. 
And played with them all through the 
day. 

'' A king always gets into trouble 
When trying to govern,'' he said ; 

So nothing but marbles and leap-frog 
And tennis, shall bother my head.'^ 

Ah, well I The wise people deposed him. 
*^You may govern the children," said 
they. 



'(((Wljiu/d, 


ii r jip , 

2 »• . V » » - . • J . « • 


36 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Why, that is exactly what suits me,^^ 

He replied, and went on with his play. 

But it wasn’t a year till the people 
All wanted the king back again ; 

They had learned that a ruler of children 
Makes a pretty good ruler of men. 


WHERE? 

W HERE are the dimples that die in 
the making ? 

Where is the joke that got stuck in the 
tongue ? 

Where hide the stars when the day is 
a-breaking ? 

Where waits the ditty that next will be 
sung? 

What does become of the sweet baby faces ? 

Where do the rainbows lie folded away ? 
How does the light that gets caught in 
dark places 

Ever creep back to the land of the day ? 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


37 


Where is the bird-song that just rippled by 
me? 

Where go my aches when the playtime 
is near ? 

Whence is the health that the kind hours 
supply me ? 

Where are the days that are coming next 
year? 

Hither, ye sages, from Zealand to Poland I 
He who will wisely these riddles ex- 
plain. 

He's to be king of the country of Noland, 
Dwelling in beautiful castles of Spain ! 


THE UNLUCKY URCHIN. 

O N the shore of an island far away. 

Stood a spirited youth, one summer 
day. 

And thus he moaned to the moaning sea : 

“ Ah, sad is the fate that falls to me I 
The cruel waves that around me roar, 


38 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


They bind me down to this petty shore. 

Oh, were I once on the other side, 

I’d seek the lion, and tame his pride 1 
And after the royal beast was slain. 

As king of the Beasts, in his place, I’d 
reign ! 

Ah, sad is our lot when a cruel fate 
Represses and chains the brave and great I ” 


THE FLYING SQUIRREL. 

D own the chimney’s treacherous way 
A flying squirrel fell one day, 

And, terror-stricken, flew around 

With scratching sound and bumping sound. 

Behind the pictures, chairs, and vases. 

In all obscure, protecting places. 

And how persistently, with shout. 

And flapping cloth and poker stout. 

We tried to drive the rascal out 1 

There was the sunny world outside, 

And doors and windows open wide. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


39 


Yet that poor beastie, foolish-wise, 

With quivering breast and frightened eyes, 
His little body one wild fear, 

He darted there and scuttled here. 

But shunned, the silly ! o’er and o’er. 

The open windows and the door. 

Till last a nervous, lucky blow 
Worked the poor fool a happy woe, — 
Struck him to floor, a furry heap, 

And there he lay as if asleep. 

We took him up with tender care 
And bore him to the outer air ; 

When suddenly his beady eyes 
Snapped open in a glad surprise ; 

“ Too good,” he thought it, “ to be true. 
But yet I’ll try,” and off he flew ! 

And so, dear human squirrels, we. 

Caught where it is not best to be. 

By some mischance or likelier sin. 

The same wild, blundering course begin. 
We rave, we faint, we fly, we fall. 

We dash our heads against the wall, 

We scramble there, we scurry here, 

We palpitate in nameless fear. 


40 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


In stupid corners still we hide, 

And miss the windows, open wide. 

Till last, struck down by some stern blow 
That seems a climax to our woe. 

As there we lie in helplessness, 

God’s great, strong hand of tenderness 
Closes around us, lifts us high. 

And bears us forth beneath the sky. 

And leaves us where we ought to be. 
Under blue heavens, glad, and free. 


DUMB-BELLS. 

A Gymnasium Song. 

D UMB-BELLS, silent though ye be. 
Ring the bells of health for me ! 
Summon strength to muscles weak. 
Call the roses to my cheek ; 

Ring the languid bearing out. 

And ring in a carriage stout ; 

Where the hidden frailties lie, 

Sound alarm and bid them fly ; 

Feeble voice and shortened breath, — 
Toll their unlamented death ; 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


41 


Ring the happy marriage hour 
Wedding Comeliness to Power ; 
Sweeping free, and wide, and strong, 
Carol forth my matin song ; 

On your sides be written this : 

Work is health and Health is bliss; 
Dumb-bells, silent though ye be, 
Ring the bells of health for me I 


WERE I THE SUN. 

I ^D always shine on holidays. 

Were I the sun ; 

On sleepy heads I’d never gaze. 

But focus all my morning rays 
On busy folks of bustling ways. 

Were I the sun. 

I would not melt a sledding snow, 
Were I the sun ; 

Nor spoil the ice where skaters go-. 
Nor help those useless weeds to grow. 
But hurry melons on, you know. 
Were I the sun. 







FOR YOUNGSTERS 


43 


I’d warm the swimming pool just right, 
Were I the sun ; 

On school-days I would hide my light, 
The Fourth I’d always give you bright. 
Nor set so soon on Christmas night. 
Were I the sun. 

I would not heed such paltry toys. 

Were I the sun — 

Such work as grown-up men employs ; 
But I would favor solid joys, — 

In short, I’d run the world for boys. 
Were I the sun ! 


HOW STRONG ARE YOU? 

I LIKE a lad of muscles big. 

And lungs of shouting size. 

Of active feet and figure trig 
And brightly beaming eyes ; 

A lad who well can run a race. 

And push a paddle well. 

Or breast the waves with fishy grace. 
Or raise the schoolboy yell. 


44 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


But while he^s strong for work and fun, 
I want him stronger still, — 

Yes, strong to help some weaker one. 
And strong of righteous will. 

And strong to pray, and strong to praise, 
And strong to answer No ; 

And if he’s strong in all these ways. 
He’ll conquer every foe. 


A PLANE STATEMENT. 

A very vicious Angie, a master of 
abuse. 

Reviled a neighbor Angle, and shouted. 
You’re obtuse ! ” 

(He himself was quite acute, as all angles 
like to be, 

And the neighbor ivas obtuse, as any one 
could see.) 

It wasn’t many minutes, I much regret to 
say. 

Before they came to blows in a very savage 
way. 

And to make the matter worse, the Ellipse 
was strolling by. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


45 


And joining in the fray, almost lost a focus 
eye! 

A Parabola, alas ! stopped and mingled in 
the fight. 

But was flattened to an oval, a very shock- 
ing sight ! 

A most aggressive Triangle, tall and rather 
thin. 

Was carried from the combat with both his 
sides knocked in. 

A smooth and perfect Circle came rolling 
on the ground. 

And kindly counselled peace, but he 
couldn’t bring them ’round. 

They got to throwing points. There were 
many looking on. 

And one of these was hit, — ’twas a portly 
Polygon. 

“ Police ! police ! ” he cried, and he shouted 
long and loud. 

And soon a squad of Rectangles captured 
all the crowd ! 

A battered, sorry rabble, they stood before 
the Square, 

Who frowned upon the culprits with his 
most judicial air. 


46 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


And imposed a heavy sentence that none 
of them could shirk, — 

A life, in Conic Sections, of unremitting 
work I 

And that is why, my hearers, as wise pro- 
fessors say, 

They’re still in Conic Sections, and cannot 
get away. 


ALL ON ACCOUNT OF THE BABY. 

A n ache in the back and an ache in the 
arms. 

All on account of the baby ; 

A fear and a fright and a thousand alarms. 
All on account of the baby ; 

And bottles and rattles and whistles and 
rings. 

From cellar to attic a clutter of things. 
From morning to night and to morning 
again 

More fuss and more fume than an army of 
men. 

And a head that is stupid for lack of its 
sleep. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


47 


And a heart where a flood of anxieties 
leap, — 

All on account of the baby. 

A joy in the heart and a light in the eyes, 
All on account of the baby ; 

A growing content and a growing surprise. 
All on account of the baby ; 

And patience that conquers a myriad frets, 
And a sunshiny song that another begets. 
And pureness of soul as a baby is pure, 
And sureness of faith as the children are 
sure. 

And a glory of love between husband and 
wife. 

And a saner and happier outlook on life, — 
All on account of the baby. 


THE JAUNTY JAY. 

O N my window-sill flirted a jaunty jay ; 
He chattered awhile, then he flew 
away. 

He chattered awhile, as if to say : 


48 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Don^t you wish you could live in the day, 
— in the day ? 

Don^t you wish you were little enough to 
be gay ? 

Fly away ! Fly away I ” 

Said the jubilant, jblly, and jaunty jay. 


THE THEORETIC TURTLE. 

T he theoretic turtle started out to see 
the toad ; 

He came to a stop at a liberty-pole in the 
middle of the road. 

Now how, in the name of the spouting 
whale,’' the indignant turtle cried. 
Can I climb this perpendicular cliff, and 
get on the other side ? 

If I only could make a big balloon, I’d 
lightly over it fly ; 

Or a very long ladder might reach the top, 
though it does look fearfully high. 

If a beaver were in my place, he’d gnaw a 
passage through with his teeth ; 

I can’t do that, but I can dig a tunnel and 
pass beneath.” 






50 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


He was digging his tunnel, with might and 
main, when a dog looked down at 
the hole. 

The easiest way, my friend,^^ said he, is 
to ivalk around the pole.^^ 


MINE. 



LD man,^’ the captain blustered, 


In haste to meet the foe, 

My troops are seeking forage ; 

Come ! show us where to go.’^ 

A mile he led them onward. 

To where, in beauty spread, 

They saw a field of barley. 

The very thing ! they said. 

Not here ! the old man urged them ; 
Have patience for a while.^^ 

And sturdily he led them 
Another weary mile. 

The barley field he showed them 
They speedily despoiled ; 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


51 


Ah, little need of reapers, 

Where such a troop has toiled I 

But Fie on all this pother ! ” 

The angry captain cursed ; 

Old man, this second barley 
Is poorer than the first/ ^ 

Perhaps,^’ the good man answered. 
It may not be so fine ; 

But that field is another's, 

And this field, sir, is mine.” 


HOW TO BE GREENAWAYS. 

D ainty Kate Greenaway lassie, and 
bright little Greenaway lad. 

Where did you get your gay raiment, and 
pray, is there more to be had ? 

How can the rest of us mortals, homely and 
clumsy and queer. 

Grow to be Greenaway people through all 
the fair Greenaway year ? 

Hark ! I will whisper the secret. Look at 
the evergreen tree, 


52 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Fresh in the sprucest of garments whatever 
the season may be ; 

Ready for nests in the springtime, ready for 
cones in the fall, 

Ready for candles in winter, the merriest 
season of all I 

So will the lads and the lassies, and so will 
the women and men. 

Just by the doing of kindnesses, gladly, 
again and again, 

Get them the evergreen garments that shine 
with a beauty untold ; 

They are the Green-a(l)way people, that 
never grow wrinkled and old I 


HIGH TIED. 

S CARLET frock and golden curl, — 
Such a very little girl, — 

Bessie wanders up and down 
Where the seaweed lines are brown. 
Something plainly on her mind. 
Something she would like to find. 
Now, whatever can it be 
Bessie's seeking in the sea ? 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


53 


So I ask the little maid, 

And she answers, half afraid : 

Sir, high tide has come and gone ; 
Where were all the strings tied on? ’’ 


WHEN PAPA DRIVES. 

O LD Sorrel straightens up her ears 
When papa takes the reins, 

And doesn’t own to half her years 
When papa takes the reins. 

Now dogs, look out for flying heels ! 

And boys, look out for whirling wheels ! 
Old Sorrel like a Ally feels 

When papa takes the reins. 

And mother screams, She’ll run away ! ” 
When papa takes the reins ; 

And aunt, she cries, Be careful, pray ! ” 
When papa takes the reins. 

Oh, let me out ! ” shrieks sister Beth, 
While papa laughs (below his breath) ; 
The women folks are scared to death 
When papa takes the reins. 




FOR YOUNGSTERS 


55 


You^d better think the fences fly 
When papa takes the reins I 
Not many teams will pass us by 
When papa takes the reins. 
The folks come out and look at us, 
And Mrs. Prim says, Scandalous ! 
And oh, but it is glorious 

When papa takes the reins I 


GOING! GOING! i 

A ttention, good people ! a baby 

I’m selling. 

His folks are all tired of his crowing and 
yelling. 

If a price that’s at all within reason you’ll 
pay, 

You may have the young rascal, and take 
him away. 

The Mountains have bid every gem in their 
store ; 

The Ocean has bid every pearl on its floor ; 
By the Land we are offered ten million of 
sheep, — 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


56 


But we have no intention of selling so 
cheap I 

Compared with his value our price is not 
high — 

How much for a baby ? What offer ? 
Whoai buy ? 


THE FATHER IN SCHOOL. 

U NFAMILIAR work and rule, — 
Little Lad's first day in school. 

** Stay ! O papa, stay with me I " 

Thus he murmurs tearfully. 

And, though business calls away, 

Papa stays the livelong day. 

Hard the lessons, hard and new. 

All the Little Lad can do ; 

Strange the room, companions strange. 
Everything a trembling change ; 

But — there’s papa sitting near. 

Ready with a look of cheer, 

Ready with a whispered word 
No one else has overheard : 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


57 


Be a little man, my boy I 
Fill your father’s heart with joy.” 


So, dear Father of us all. 

When relentless school-bells call, — 
Schools of failure, schools of woe. 
Schools of pain, — and we must go. 
Then Thy children Thou dost own ; 
We need never go alone. 


Strange the school where we have come. 
Ah, so different from home I 
Strange the lessons, hard to learn. 

And the master cold and stern. 

But — though endless labors stand 
Waiting for His sovereign hand — 

See the Father sitting near. 

Ready with a look of cheer, 

Ready with a whispered word 
Not another soul has heard : 

I am here ; My child thou art ; 

Fill with joy thy Father’s heart I ” 


Earthly fathers cannot stay 
Longer than the entrance day ; 


58 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


But that other loving Friend 
Stays till school is at an end. 


JOHN CURZON’S WATCH. 

H ave you heard of John Curzon, of 
Poland ? 

A wonderful artisan, he ! 

A watchmaker equalled in no land, 

As you, I am sure, will agree. 

For the Czar of the Russias, to try him, 
Commanded a watch for his fob. 

And bade that his envoy supply him 
With all he might use in the job. 

So the messenger brought some wood- 
chippings, 

Some glass that was smashed in a fall. 
Copper nails and some bits of wire clippings. 
And a cracked china cup ; that was all ! 

John Curzon, this rubbish receiving. 
Contrived, with no other to aid, — 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


59 


It is true, though it seems past believing, — 
A watch that was perfectly made ! 

The case — it was formed of the china. 

The works were patched up from the rest. 
It was worthy a rex or regina ; 

And Curzon had won in the test ! 

So, my lad, with no money and no land, 
And Fate as severe as the Czar, 

Just think you are Curzon of Poland, 

And conquer — from things as they are I 


JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BABY. 

J UST a little bit of baby, 

Twenty pounds and nothing more, — 
See him floor his giant daddy. 

Weight two hundred, six feet four. 

Just a little bit of baby ; 

Any beauty ? not a trace, — 

See him stealing all the roses 
From his lovely mother’s face. 


6o 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Just a little bit of baby, 

Ignorant as he can be, — 

See him puzzle all the sages 
Of his learned family. 

Just a little bit of baby, 

Walking ? no ; nor crawling, even, — 
See him lead a dozen grown-ups 
To the very gate of heaven I 


A SYMPATHETIC READER. 

O LD Mr. Solomon Reeder has a phil- 
osophic mind, 

Which is to reading newspapers most 
wondrously inclined. 

They broaden one^s intelligence,^’ he says, 
with conscious pride. 

And bring us into sympathy with all the 
world outside ; 

And make us feel the universal brother- 
hood of man. 

Which knits America to Greece and Chili 
and Japan.” 



’ V ^ ^ ■ e w O tVr 




-'<)•-* Vii!^ 'i ^ 


L AkiitlrJiiiuf ‘ r- -S 


1> ir; t<:\^ 






t 




62 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


So every evening after tea he sends “ the 
brats to bed, 

That in philosophic silence the paper may 
be read ; 

And lonely Mrs. Reeder, as she mutely 
knits, can see 

His every feature glowing with a widening 
sympathy ; 

Until, at half-past ten o^clock, he lays the 
paper by. 

With universal brotherhood a-glimmering 
in his eye. 


“ LOST ” OPPORTUNITIES. 

M any words are lightly tossed ; 

Only cowards mind them. 
Opportunities are “ lost ? 

Rouse yourself and find them 1 ^ 

Some are lost for aye and aye, / 
But the most are hiding. f 

Cars the switch has caught are they ; 
Take them from the siding ! i . 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


63 


Past is past, the chance is gone ? 

Up, and follow after ! 

Many a noble race is won 
Spite of sneers and laughter. 

Opportunities are “ lost ” ? 

Aren’t there legs behind them ? 
Boldly run, nor count the cost ! 
Speed until you find them ! 


THE STEPHENSON OF THE AIR. 

W HERE lives he ? — that inventive one 
For whom the world is waiting — 
where ? 

The ether’s future Stephenson, 

The coming conqueror of the air ? 

And has he found the secret yet. 

The solvent thought, whate’er it be ? 

May the explorer not forget 
That mystic Open Sesame ! 

And will he sail with mighty wing. 

Or vast balloon, or whirling fan? 


64 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Or will it be a startling thing 
On some unprecedented plan ? 

And when the deed is brought to pass 
And men are taught the way to fly, 

Must all our railroads go to grass 
And all our commerce seek the sky ? 

I do not know ; but this I know, — 
Whatever bulk the thought attain, 

It must begin and slowly grow 

From one wee notion in the brain ; 

Some quick idea swiftly caught 
And stoutly held with iron grip 

While patience labors on the thought 
And firmness will not let it slip. 

For never on a gale of luck 
Shall his fine air-ship come to port ; 

Its keel is grit, its sails are pluck. 

The hurricane it dares to court ! 

Its captain, whosoe’er he be. 

Has counted cowardice a sin, 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


65 


Has found the air a stormy sea, 

Has learned to struggle and to win I 


A BIT OF GOOD WORK. 

Y our life is a tangle of fret and of 
fume ? 

Just do a bit of good work. 

It will clear out the cobwebs and scatter the 
gloom 

If you do a bit of good work. 

Like magic the wrinkles will vanish away, 
And worry will fly from the heart of the day. 
And sunshine will banish the ominous gray, 
When you do a bit of good work. 

The world is unfriendly, and you are alone ? 

Just do a bit of good work. 

There's many a friendship has budded and 
grown 

About a bit of good work. 

The world hates a sluggard and bids him be 
gone, 

The world loves a worker and runs to 
look on ; 



FOR YOUNGSTERS 


67 


If a crowd you would gather, your overalls 
don, 

And do a bit of good work. 

Temptations assail you and lure you to sin ? 

Just to do a bit of good work. 

The battle is ended if you will begin 
To do a bit of good work. 

For Satan, that ever-industrious foe. 

Is easily routed by hammer or hoe. 

And back to his demons the devil will go 
As you tackle a bit of good work. 


THE EXTRAORDINARY ELEPHANT. 

T he extraordinary elephant climbed on 
the trapeze 

And hung there by his knees 
In a manner sure to please. 

While a wondering crowd gathered soon 
about. 

The monkey, when he heard their admir- 
ing shout. 

Upon a high trapeze. 

With the very greatest ease. 


68 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Hanging by his tail, whirled around and in 
and out. 

But in vain is all its skill, for the wise 
crowd only sees 

The extraordinary elephant hanging by his 
knees. 


THE SONG OF THE LAWN-MOWER. 

5' I "'WAS the gayest lawn-mower that ever 
JL was seen, 

Its body was red and its handle was green. 

It ran on the lawn for the most of the day. 

And oh ! how it rattled and clattered 
away ! 

It had a wide mouth and a long, twisted 
tongue, 

And this is the song that the lawn-mower 
sung : 

Ke-clickety, clickety, clickety, klot I 

The work, it is hard, and the day, it is hot. 

But Susie will like it, the dear little lass ; 

How happy she is in the newly cut grass ! 

It's good for her tennis and good for 
croquet. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


69 


And gladly for Susie I’ll labor away 
With my clickety, clickety, klot ! 

“ Ke-clickety, clickety, clickety, klot I 
The work, it is hard, and the day, it is hot. 
And Charley, the lad who is pushing me 
now, 

He carries a terrible frown on his brow. 

For Charley is lazy and Charley’s a shirk. 
But spite of it all I must stick to my work 
With my clickety, clickety, clickety, 
klot ! 

Ke-clickety, clickety, clickety, klot ! 

The work, it is hard, and the day, it is hot. 
But all of the sparrows are grateful to me. 
And all of the robins are coming, you see. 
The crickets and worms they can easily spy. 
So they pounce on their dinner when I 
have gone by 

With my clickety, clickety, klot ! 

Ke-clickety, clickety, clickety, klot ! 

The work, it is hard, and the day, it is hot 
And down in the grass, when I listen, I hear 
The grasshoppers squeaking, half crazy 
with fear. 


70 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


The ants and the worms and the katydids 
dread 

To hear me come clattering on overhead 
With my clickety, clickety, klot ! 

** Ke-clickety, clickety, clickety, klot ! 

The wwk, it is hard, and the day, it is hot. 
0 Charley, and crickets, and ants, and the 
rest, 

rd like to please all, but I’m doing my best. 
As long as I work I am happy and gay. 
And so I keep pegging and pegging away 
With my clickety, clickety, klot ! ” 


THE LUCKY FOUR-LEAVED CLOVER. 

‘^TTrilY is the four-leaved clover more 
V V lucky than the three ? ” 

I questioned Master Greedy, and thus he 
answered me : 

It’s because the four-leaved clover so crafty 
is and bold. 

It has an extra hand, sir, to grasp the sun- 
shine gold.” 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


71 


Why is the four-leaved clover more lucky 
than the three? ” 

I questioned Master Generous, and thus he 
answered me : 

It’s because the four-leaved clover so 
kindly is and gay, 

It has an extra hand, sir, to give its gold 
away ! ” 


IN THE CORNER. 

E lsie was bad as bad could be, 

So to the corner she had to go ; 
Nothing but cold, white wall to see, 
Nothing to think of but — 0 dear me ! — 
The mischief past and the present woe. 

Out of the wall her mother’s face 
Looked so tenderly sweet and sad. 
Seeming to fill the blank, bare space. 
Seeming to say to her girl in disgrace, 

'' Dear little Elsie, why are you ao bad ? ” 

Open her eyes or close them tight. 

Still our rebel that face must see. 


72 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Till at last the poor little girl, in spite 
Of the stubbornest will, made headlong 
flight 

To her mother’s arms and forgiveness 
free. 

Ah, my child, as the years go by. 

And many an error brings many a smart. 
May some hushed corner be ever nigh. 
Where the Father-love in the Father’s eye 
May lead you close to the Father’s heart. 


THE NOTIONAL NIGHTINGALE. 

K ing Hubert, he went to the forest 
in state, 

In glitter and gold, on a sunshiny day. 

And commanded his train in the shadow to 
wait. 

While a herald proclaimed in the following 
way: 

“ His Imperial Majesty, Hubert the Second, 
Since the nightingale’s voice is quite mu- 
sical reckoned. 








74 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Is graciously pleased, as the day seems too 
long, 

To command that the nightingale sing him 
a song ! 

The court all stood waiting for what might 
befall ; 

But somehow, no nightingale answered the 
call. 


THE COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH. 

T hey had photographs of baby 
' Crying, cooing, lost in dreams, 
Pouting, too, although they say he 
DoesnT know what temper means ; 

Photographs of baby smiling, 

Baby '' talking,’' baby dumb, 

And the tedious time beguiling 
With the sucking of his thumb ; 

Baby in his bath o’ morning. 

Baby in his crib at night. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


75 


Baby in a fit of scorning, 

Baby in a fit of fright. 

And his father and his mother, 

Aunts and uncles and the rest. 

Differed each one from the other 
As to which of these was best. 

Each one had his favorite “ photo, 

“ Just as good as good can be,” 

While the rest declared it “ so-so,” 

Or “ a perfect mockery.” 

In the midst of this contention. 

Half in earnest, half in laugh. 

Aunt Jerusha chanced to mention 
A composite photograph. 

“ Just the thing ! ” cried all, delighted ; 
And at once they had it done. 

All the photographs united 
By the magic of the sun, — 

All the different airs and graces. 
Smiling, crowing, cross, sedate. 


76 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


All the different baby faces 
Photographed upon one plate. 

But the picture ? Ah, the din it 
Raised at once, to left and right ! 
Each one’s favorite face was in it, — 
Each declared it was a fright ! 


ONE HUNDRED PER CENT. 

“ T SHOULD like to be rich,” said young 
A Tom, with a sigh ; 

“ There are so many things I am aching to 
buy! 

Oh, would I had money, and would it were 
lent. 

To good steady payers, at fifteen per 
cent I ” 

Now it chanced a wise man, just in passing, 
had heard 

Tom’s sighs and repining, each covetous 
word ; 

So he took the young fellow astride of his 
knee. 

And taught him to grow just as rich as could he. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


77 


And this way ^twas done. Every once in a 
while 

Tom would lend to some neighbor — a sun- 
shiny smile ; 

And every time, for the smile he had lent 

Tom got two in return. ThaCs one hundred 
per cent ! 

Bright greetings, warm kisses, kind deeds 
on the sly. 

All bring him an interest equally high ; 

And before many days, I am bold to declare. 

You will find that young Tom is a true 
millionaire. 


SYMPATHY. 

W HEN her little baby frets and cries. 
The tender-hearted Mrs. Rue 
Just wrings her hands and heaves great 
sighs, 

‘‘ Boo-hoo-hoo-0-0 ! '' 

And — she cries, too ! 

There they sit and cry together, 

And, oh ! there’s a spell of rainy weather I 





FOR YOUNGSTERS 


79 


When her little baby frets and cries, 

The tender-hearted Mrs. True 
Just laughs with her mouth and smiles 
with her eyes, — 
Cock-adoo-doo-o-o ! 

And — hahy laughs, too ! 

There they sit and crow together. 

And oh ! there’s a spell of sunny weather ! 


HOW TO SWIM. 

’T^WAS many days with Sam and Jim 
A Before they taught me how to swim. 
A swimming collar, fat and wide. 

Around my timid neck was tied ; 

I had a life-preserver on. 

And buoyant boards to float upon. 

And ventured out six feet or more 
From safety and the beckoning shore. 

I paddled in the shallows there 
With quite a bold, determined air. 

And got the motions to a T, 

As Jim and Sam did both agree ; 

But, some way, spite of Sam and Jim, 

I never managed — quite — to — swim. 


8o 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


One day, worn out with these attempts, 
Discarding my accoutrements, 

I stood there, like the fool I am. 

All goose flesh, watching Jim and Sam ; 
When, suddenly, they rushed ashore. 

And, heeding not my panic roar. 

They caught me up and carried me. 
Indignant, flghting to get free. 

Along a rustic bridge, to where 
The deepest, deadliest waters were. 

Then threw me in with warning grim : 

“ You booby ! Now it's sink or swim ! " 

And it was swim. A splash ! A scream ! 
A frantic struggle with the stream ! 

I waxed a demon in my wrath. 

But floundered on my watery path. 

And gasping, faint, too weak to stand. 
And blubbering, I reached the land. 

Thus — tardy thanks to Sam and Jim, 

I learned at last the way to swim. 

And now, as I surrender me 
To some ecstatic, leaping sea. 

Or cleave the waters dark and cool 
Of heron-haunted forest pool, 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


8i 


Or through the shining of some lake 
My liquid flashing course I take, 

I say, while wrapped in that delight, 

“ Well, Jim was right, and Sam was right.” 

And often, in these later days 
Of hustling twentieth-century ways. 

As from the shore I watch the tide 
Of life and labor deep and wide. 

Where flerce contentions clash and beat 
Along the current of the street, 

And in the ocean of the town 
I see full many a wreck go down. 

As, bound by timorous despair 
I stand aloof and idle there. 

The thought returns of Sam and Jim 
And how they made a coward swim. 

“ Jump in ! ” I bid my shrinking soul, 

'' Nor heed the waves that angry roll, 

Nor breakers, flerce howe'er they be ; 

A man is lighter than the sea. 

Trust in your lungs and muscles stout 
And in God's ocean. Out ! Swim out ! ” 

Then, as I venture to be brave 
And hurl my body on the wave, 


82 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


And pay no heed to my alarms, 

But use my feet and use my arms, 

I find my body instantly 
In liquid oneness with that sea, 

And — thanks once more to Sam and Jim — 
I learn at last that I can swim. 


A KIND-HEADED STATUE. 

T he quiet little Transvaal, 

On peaceful profit bent, 

Was ruled by wise Paul Kruger, 

Its farmer president. 

So stoutly had he carried 
The burdens on him laid, 

The grateful Boers decided 
To have his statue made. 

Their plans were quite completed, — 
A statue big and tall, 

So set that all the city 

Might see the great “ Oom Paul.'' 
But first, — as was a proper 
And gracious thing to do, — 

They called on Mrs. Kruger, 

To get her notions, too. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


83 


Then spoke that royal woman, 

With simple, kind intent : 

Be sure to put a hat, sirs. 

Upon the president ; 

And hollow out the top, please, 

That rain may fill it up, 

And all the birds may find it 
A useful drinking-cup ! 

So spoke dear Mrs. Kruger, 

And gratefully, I think, 

The birds will sing her praises 
Whene’er they take a drink. 

Ah, happy is the nation 
Whose ruler cares for men ; 

And if his wife takes thought for birds. 
Why, it is blest again ! 


THE GHOST OF A FEAR. 

Y oung Willie was bragging — I hap- 
pened to hear — 

That he never had known the ghost of a 
fear. 

I hope he was honest and true in his boast, 
For the Ghost of a Fear is a terrible ghost 1 


84 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


I know him, Vve seen him — his staring 
green eyes, 

His octopus arms of remarkable size, 

His trap of a mouth, like the jaws of a 
shark. 

And his voice, which is just like Peruvian 
bark ! 

But turn up the light, boys, the light of 
your face, 

And whistle and laugh in the gloomiest 
place ; 

For there’s nothing will conquer the Ghost 
of a Fear 

But a glimmer of love and a chuckle of 
cheer. 


WHAT COULD SHE SAY? 

A TENDER-HEARTED maiden, in the 
latest fashion dressed, 

Rebuked a wicked urchin who was bearing 
off a nest : 

^‘Fie! Fie! You cruel fellow! What? 
Nest, and eggs, and all? 





86 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


I think I hear the mother-bird in yonder 
thicket call. 

I think I see her pretty breast a-tremble 
like a leaf. 

Put back the nest, you naughty boy, or she 
will die of grief 1 

O no, she won't,” the bad boy said ; “ she 
doesn't care for that I 

She doesn't mind such little things, for she 
is on your hat ! '' 


THE SOUL OF PETER GARCIA. 

A Spanish Legend, 

T WO lads espied a mouldering stone. 
With moss and lichens overgrown, 
Yet showing to their sharp young eyes 
These most perplexing words : '' Here lies 
The soul of Peter Garcia.'' 

'' Now that's a silly thing,'' one said, 

'' To mar the gravestone of the dead ! 

Here lie the bones, the brain, the heart, 
But heaven has the immortal part. 

The soul, of Peter Garcia.'' 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


87 


He turned away with mocking air, 

And left the other standing there — 

The other, who, though frail and weak, 
Pried up the heavy stone, to seek 
The soul of Peter Garcia. 

And there he found it ! — gleaming bright, 
A lustrous, glittering, awful sight, 

A monstrous huddle-heap of gold. 

The prize for which a life was sold — 
The soul of Peter Garcia. 


FORTY WINKS OF SLEEP, 

S LEEPY Granther often thinks 

He must take just forty winks.” 
Jimmy counted them one day : — 

First wink, glasses put away. 

Second wink, upon his head 
Red bandana is outspread. 

Third to tenth winks, by degrees 
Granther settles at his ease 
In his chair. Eleventh wink. 


88 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Granther^s eyes begin to blink. 
Twelfth, he folds his arms, and then 
(Thirteenth) down they go again ! 
Fourteen to twenty, Jimmy said. 
Those were nods of Granther’s head. 
Twenty-one, his head^s at rest. 
Finally, upon his breast. 

Twenty-two to thirty-nine 
( Jimmy ^s statement, and not mine ! ) 
Those eighteen, no less, no more. 
Each one was a separate snore. 

Then — the fortieth wink, exact — 
Granther woke. And that’s a fact 1 


DOROTHY’S DIMPLES. 

A S soft sunbeams plash 
In a lakelet of white. 

So Dorothy’s dimples 
Are dimples of light. 

And as little waves run 
From that plashment away. 
So the curve of her smile 

Widens out through the day ; 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


89 


Widens out to the faces 
That see her the while, 
That move to her dimples 
And smile with her smile. 


THE NEW-YEAR MINE. 

E very year’s a hidden mine ; 

Stoutly up, and work it ! 
What though anxious toil is thine ? 
Never think to shirk it. 

Half the mine, as I am told. 
Harbors dust and ashes ; 

Half the mine is precious gold, — 
Ah, how bright it flashes I 

Sink the shaft of Lazy Mind, 

(What a dreadful bore, sir !) 

Dust and ashes you will And, 

That, and nothing more, sir ! 

Sink the shaft of Earnest Heart, — 
Lo, the treasure glances. 






FOR YOUNGSTERS 


91 


Gleaming gay in every part 
Where your pick advances ! 

See, my lad, the New-Year Mine 
Bright with promise-flashes ! 
Will you dig for treasure fine. 

Or only dust and ashes ? 


A WEIGHTY MATTER. 

I DREAMT the whole thing out as I was 
sleeping ; 

May I confide in you ? 

I spend my days in wailing and in weeping 
For fear my dream come true. 

I thought that with no kindly word of 
warning. 

No hint of coming trouble. 

Some cause mysterious one awful morning 
Made gravitation double. 

The branches snapped from all the trees 
around me, 

A fierce, terrific sound. 

I fain would run away. Alas ! I found me 
Fast fixed upon the ground. 


92 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


The birds fell down like feathered stones 
from heaven ; 

The sky was all bereft. 

Ten houses were before ; behind me, seven ; 

And not a house was left. 

It rained, and every little drop down 
rushing 

Cut like a leaden ball. 

The air grew denser ; pressing, strangling, 
crushing. 

I tottered to m}^ fall. 

And then awoke from out my fearful 
sleeping. 

And now, what shall we do ? 

I spend my days in wailing and in weeping. 

Might not my dream come true ? 


A MARCH MOTTO. 

M onth of bluster, ice and sleet, 
Silent wood and ugly street, 
Winds that roar and flakes that fly, 
Frozen earth and gloomy sky, — 
Angry March, thy name to me 
Like a battle-cry shall be ! 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


93 


Forward, march ! ” but leave behind 
Stubborn will and stupid mind. 

“ Forward, march I ’’ and sing a song 
As we stoutly march along. 

Forward, march I away from sin ; 
Forward, march ! ” the goal to win ; 
Forward, march ! without a fear ; 
Forward, march ! through all the 
year. 


GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THINGS. 

I KNOW a little laddie of a very prying 
mind ; 

To make investigations he is Avondrously 
inclined. 

He must reach the topmost branches of the 
very highest tree, 

Each passing gay procession he is right on 
hand to see. 

The deepest inner tangle of the thickest 
swamp he knows, 

Each pebble of the brook has felt the pres- 
sure of his toes. 


94 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


He rummages through all the house in 
spite of locks and doors, 

The farthest, blackest cavern he most 
dauntlessly explores. 

He mounts upon the house-top, and once he 
even fell 

(The result of peering over) to the bottom 
of the well. 

But, woe is me ! the teachers of this prying 
laddie say 

That when he comes to books his passion 
works another way ; 

For when he cons his text-books, in spite 
of scold and frown. 

To get to the bottom of them he turns them 
upside down ! 


ADVICE ABOUT YOUR STOCKING. 

T here are three little creatures that 
find their way 
Into a Christmas stocking. 

And they spoil the whole of Christmas Day 
In a manner very shocking. 

Those pesky creatures have no wings, 

Nor body, nor soul, indeed ; 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


95 


And these are the names of the dreadful 
things, — 

Self, and Thankless, and Greed. 

They often crawl, as well I know. 

In the Christmas stocking to spite you, 
And if you leave them in heel or toe. 

Ah, how they will sting and bite you ! 
Choose a hole-y stocking, if you would ex- 
pel 

These things without body or soul ; 
Then ram in your fist, and shake it well. 
And drive them out through the hole I 


HOW THEY CONJUGATE “TO HAVE.” 

I MET a man of aspect wise 

Engaged in catching butterflies. 

“ A gorgeous box-full, friend,” quoth I, 
'‘Now for what purpose sage and high 
Didst catch this lovely company ? ” 

“ That I might have them,” answered he. 

I saw a man with eager eyes 
In bookstores hunting for a prize 
Hid in the dim and dusty nooks, — 


96 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Some rare, forgotten, worthless books. 

“ What is their use, my friend, to thee? ” 

** That I may have them,” answered he. 

I met a weary, haggard elf 
Absorbed in reckoning up his pelf ; 

As, so much gain, and so much cost. 

And so much, so much, so much lost. 

“ What joy from all your golden tide ? ” 

“ That I may have it,” he replied. 

I met a man of busy hands. 

With wealth of books and friends and lands, 
Yet ever seeking some new task 
Or helpful service. “ Friend,” I ask, 

“ Why do you toil so ceaselessly ? ” 

That men may have me,” answers he. 


THE REASON WHY. 

S AID lazy Sammy, DonT you know. 
When grown-up men a-calling go 
They wait till folks are up and dressed. 
House swept and dusted, and the rest. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


97 


Now I should think it quite ill-bred, 
Soon as the sun is out of bed 
To call upon his world, before 
The sun has time to do a chore, 

Or set his house to rights at all 
In preparation for a call. 

Before I’d be so rude,” Sam said, 

'' rd tarry half the day in bed ! ” 


THE ORACULAR OWL. 

T he oracular owl 

Is a very wise fowl. 

He sits on a limb 
By night and by day. 

And an eager assembly waits on him 
To listen to what the wise bird may say. 

I heard him discourse in the following way : 
*‘The sun soon will set in the 
west.” 

’Twill be fair if the sky is not 
cloudy.” 

If a hundred are good only one 
can be best.” 

** No gentlemen’s ever a rowdy.” 




FOR YOUNGSTERS 


99 


“ Ah I ah cry the birds. ** What a mar- 
vellous fowl I 

Oh, who could excel this oracular owl ? 


NEW YEAR’S BIRDS. 

S UN on New Year’s morning 
Laughing at the snow ; 
Trees hung thick with jewels, 
Icicles aglow. 

All the earth in ermine, 

All the air in blue. 

All the bells a-jingle : 

Ho ! the year is new.” 

Out to greet the new world 
All so white and pure, 

See our household darling. 
Dainty and demure. 

Happy New Year, snowbirds I 
Happy New Year, sun ! 
Happy New Year, oak-tree I 
Happy, every one ! ” 

LofC. 


lOO 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


From the blue sky dropping 
To the white earth down, 

Here the New Year’s birds come, 
Dressed in white and brown. 


'' Happy New Year, darling ! ” 
Thus the gay birds sing. 
''New Year’s presents, darling, 
Merrily we bring.” 


" My gift,” said the first bird, 
" Is your mother’s love.” 

" My gift,” said the second, 

" Is the sun above.” 


" Mine is your sweet home, dear.” 

" Mine is fire and food.” 

" Mine is Jesus’ praises 
When His child is good.” 

" My gift is nice clothing.” 

" Mine is play and fun.” 

" Mine is rest and slumber 
When the day is done.” 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


lOl 


Eight birds softly singing 
In the New Year’s glow, 
As our happy darling 

Trudges through the snow. 

New Year’s birds, gift-laden, 
Singing hale and true, — 
Listen softly, children ! 

They will sing to you 1 


A GOOD SLEEP. 

Y OU do not need a bed of down 
To give you sleep at night, 

A counterpane of pink and brown 
And pillow soft and white. 

You do not need a pretty room 
All dressed in dainty blue, 

Where soundest slumber-health may come, 
With pleasant dreams, to you. 

But fill the day with labor, Ned, 

And work with all your might, 



FOR YOUNGSTERS 


103 


For that will fill the hardest bed 
With softest down, at night. 

And if you want a counterpane 
With many colors gay, 

Not only work with might and main, 
But — add a bit of play ! 


STOP ME! 


TOP me, good people I Don’t you see 



My temper is running away with me? 

Help, Master Commonsense 1 Are you 
afraid ? 

Good Mistress Prudence, come to my aid I 

Stop me. Conscience ! Stop me, I pray 1 

My temper, my temper is running away I 

Dear Brother Kindness, snatch after the 
reins ! 

Help, or my temper will dash out my 
brains I 

Help, or I’ll get a terrible fall ! 

Help, Shame, Caution, Love, Wisdom, and 


all! 


104 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


THE BARGAIN. 

Unde 

B essie, Josie, seems to me 

Two small girls I chanced to see 
Nid-nid-nodding in their pew. 

Oh, I hope it wasn’t you ! 

The Girls. 

Well, but, uncle, don’t you know, 
Saturday we had to go 
On that picnic ? Had to play. 

Oh, so hard ! the livelong day. 

Unde. 

I’ll forgive you, Jo and Bess, 

For I really must confess — 

Keep it secret, children, do ! 

I was rather sleepy, too ! 

The Girls. 

Uncle, did you have to play, 

Oh, so hard ! all Saturday? 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


105 


Unde, 

No, alas I my play I shirked. 

I just worked, and worked, and worked. 
Late last night I went to bed, 

And got up — a sleepy head ! 

The Girls. 

Well, then, uncle, I don’t see 
But you’re just as bad as we ! 

Unde. 

Just as wicked. I’ll admit. 

Aren’t we all ashamed of it? 

Drowsy head and sleepy face 
There in Christ’s own dwelling-place 1 
Come, my lassies, what d’ye say ? 

Let’s reform next Saturday ! 

You to do a little less 
Of your playing, Jo and Bess ; 

I to wheedle from the store 
Time to play a little more. 

Then I’m sure that we’ll succeed 
And keep awake. 

The Girls. 

Well, ivdre agreed ! 


io6 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


CARLO AND 1. 

VER the fields in the sunny weather, 



V->/ Wading deep in the clover high, 

Bounding and swinging along together. 

Out into Summerland, Carlo and I. 

Generous people live up above us ; 

They are pouring gold from the gold-blue 
sky! 

Softly, softly, good folk, if you love u&! 

We’ll be buried in gold dust. Carlo and 1 1 

Slow move the butterflies, laden with 
plunder ; 

They are storing gold in that brooklet 
nigh. 

How it shines as the fishes carry it under 1 

But we are no misers. Carlo and I. 

An army of grasshoppers guarding the 
treasure 

Fly at our throats with a shrill war-cry. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


107 


We’ll invade their dominion at our good 
pleasure, 

For we are the biggest, Carlo and I. 

The great red cloverheads steeped in the 
summer 

Sleepily nod as we two pass by. 

A man seems a quite insignificant comer. 
But still we’re endured here, Carlo and I. 

Over the field to this fence-line tangled, — 
Half-hidden bunches of berries 1 spy, — 
Out of the glittering meadow bespangled, 
Into the woodland. Carlo and I. 

A still, cool sea of leaves all around us. 
Above, the green waves in the sunshine 
lie. 

And sunbeams filtering through have 
found us, 

Down on the sea-floor. Carlo and 1 1 

^hir ! — ’tis a squirrel, that stays no meeting. 

Fie on you. Carlo, you wild dog, fie I 
They’ll turn us out for uncivil greeting ; 
We’re monsters, anyway, you and I ! 


io8 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


How is it, Carlo ? Let^s know, you sinner I 
How much of the summer can reach 
your eye ? 

Is it all a warmth and a golden shimmer. 
Or are you nearer it all than I ? 


Who lives the most in this summer weather. 
Two feet little or six feet high ? 

Well, well take it share and share together. 
On through the woodland. Carlo and I. 


A MUNICIPAL REFORM. 

TF I were Street Commissioner,’^ said 
A Jimmy Bright to me, 

‘'I’d see that streets and avenues were 
named more fittingly. 

For instance, there is High Street, a name 
that should apply 

Where all the lordly salesmen are more 
than six feet high. 

And Congress Street should be the place 
where statesmen rendezvous. 





no 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


While nothing old should be allowed upon 
a street called New. 

The worthy name of Washington should 
nobly advertise 

A street of honest tradesmen where no one 
ever lies. 

I’d stay away from Cross Street, or, if I 
must go there. 

I’d carry so much patience that they’d re- 
name it ‘ Fair.’ 

The widest street I’d call Broadway, and 
add a law thereto. 

That no one ever should create a broader 
avenue. 

Fine dames with satin garments and man- 
ners quite ornate 

Should always hold receptions upon the 
street called State. 

The auctioneers and pawnbrokers Exchange 
Street ought to hold. 

And Water Street should be the place where 
stocks are bought and sold. 

The names of streets and facts of streets 
ought better to agree. 

They would, if I could name the streets,” 
said Jimmy Bright to me. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


111 


PILLOW FAIRIES. 

H ave you seen those fairy people 

That, before you^re half asleep, will 
Steal the stuffing from your pillow, 

And the pillow-case will fill so 
Very fast and softly that it 
Never wakes you while they^re at it ? 

Yet, before the night is over, 

You^re in misery, or clover ; 

For the stuffing they put in it^s 
Made of days and hours and minutes I 
If your day was kind and gentle. 

And if all your business went well, 

If the hours were smooth and sunny. 
Swift as bees and sweet as honey, 

All this pleasant stuffing will go 
To the making of your pillow 
Smooth and sweet, till your repose is 
Soft as dew on sleeping roses. 

But if all your day was horrid. 

Forehead furrowed, temper torrid. 

If the hours were harsh and snappy, 

All disjointed and unhappy, 


112 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Then this awkward stuffing will go 
To the making of your pillow 
Hard and prickly and annoying, 
Angular and sleep-destroying I 
Ah, ye kindly pillow fairies, 

Well I know your anxious care is 
Not to fret us, not to tease us. 

But to soothe us and to please us. 
When I furnish for my pillow 
Hours so ugly, days so ill, though 
All my slumber hobbles lamely, 

I will be the last to blame ye ! 


RECIPE FOR A GOOD LETTER. 

T O write a good letter, take a handful 
of grit, 

A plenty of time and a little of wit ; 

Take patience to set it, and stir it all up 
With the ladle of energy. Then fill a cup 
With kind thoughts and helpful thoughts, 
merry thoughts too. 

With bright words, and wise words, and 
words strong and true. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


113 


Mix all these together, and then add for 
spice 

Some good news, some funny news, all 
news that^s nice. 

Then seal with a love kiss and stamp it 
with care ; 

Direct to your friend’s heart, and presto I 
’tis there. 


A PROBLEM IN PHYSIOLOGY. 

S O very tall is that young rascal, Ned, 

He cannot stoop to weed my garden 
bed. 

Nor bend his back to split the kindling 
wood. 

And as for shovelling coal, — he never could I 


And yet Ned’s queerly contradictory frame 
Gayly achieves full many a groundling 
game, 

Like marbles, leap frog, “ mumble peg,” — 
and all 

As if the lad were anything but tall I 




FOR YOUNGSTERS 


115 


FLOWERY. 

H e was walking in the garden, and in- 
cautiously he spoke 

Of “ a very flowery orator,” Sir Sentimental 
Smoke. 

“ An orator of emptiness,” as he went on to 
say, 

“ An orator whose vague conceits so flowery 
are and gay, 

So vapid, incoherent, pompous, wandering, 
inane, 

In brief, so very flowery^ that they almost 
are insane.” 


Now when he left the garden what an angry 
clamor burst ! 

The rose was all a-tremble, but she found 
her voice the first. 

'‘So we are vapid, are we?” indignantly 
she cried, 

"And incoherent, are we?” asked the lily 
at her side. 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


116 


“ And think ! he called us pompous ! mur- 
mured low the violet. 

“ And wandering ! What slander ! ” cried 
the stifF-stalked mignonette. 

An outrage ! ” popped the poppy, and the 
rest agreed with him, 

Whereat he framed this protest, which was 
voted with a vim : — 

“ Resolved, that all the flowers are insulted 
grievously 

By the misuse of an adjective, to wit, of 
flowery. 

Resolved, that every mortal is requested to 
refrain 

From the adjective aforesaid as a synonym 
for ^ vain,^ 

For ^ silly,’ ‘ wordy,’ ^ whimsical,’ ‘ grandilo- 
quent ’ or ^ smart,’ 

And let it in the future play a more appro- 
priate part. 

For flowers are finely modelled, much in 
little, beauty’s brief. 

Perfection to a petal, and a volume in a 
leaf. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


117 


So take your perfect orator, whose every 
word is fit, 

A prince of thought and eloquence, of force 
and grace and wit, 

And when he rises highest, in the senate’s 
day of days, 

Pronounce his speaking ‘ fiowery,’ and 
count it highest praise.” 

They asked a passing zephyr their courier 
to be. 

And I have just related what the zephyr 
told to me. 


THE DAINTY DOG. 

A DAINTY dog had chanced to note 
The breakfast of a greedy goat, — 
Half-rotten grass, a shocking pile. 

Fie I ” said the dog ; what wretched style I 
Good taste demands, you clownish beast, 

A dish to eat from, at the least. 

And as for food, that garbage foul 
Would even make a camel scowl. 


n8 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Would make a very buzzard groan, 

Would ” Here the goat laid bare a 

bone, 

Which when our dainty dog had spied, 

“ Your pardon, friend ! the critic cried ; 
"‘Pm quite near-sighted, neighbor mine. 

I see your meal is fair and fine. 

Invite me, pray, with you to dine ! 


AND WHEN THEY ALL MEET ! 

C OME to the love feast, Pussie. We 
want you right away.” 

Pm busy catching birds, sir. Pll come 
some other da3^” 

“ We’re going to have a love feast. Sir Toad, 
and wait for you.” 

“ Pm busy catching flies, now ; and won’t 
to-morrow do ? ” 

‘‘ Come to the love feast, Robin. We need 
your merry song.” 

“ Pm busy catching insects, but Pll be there 
ere long.” 

'' Grave Mistress Owl, a love feast waits 
your wisdom so sublime.” 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


119 


Tm killing mice at present, sir. I’ll come 
another time.” 

So they postponed the love feast till they 
could find a day 

When no one of the guests could find an 
animal to slay ! 


A STRANGE GARMENT. 

O LASSIES unburdened with cares, 

And boys with your blessings un- 
bought. 

There’s a beautiful garment that each of 
you wears, — 

The wonderful garment of thought. 

It clothes you from head to your feet. 

It wraps you without and within. 

It first is discerned by the people you meet, 
And serves to repel them or win. 

Each thought that is true to the right 
Embroiders the garment with gold. 

Or adds to its graces a jewel of light 
That kings would rejoice to behold. 


120 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Each thought that is foul with the wrong 
Tears one of the jewels away, 

Or rends the fair garment its beauties along, 
Or stains it forever and ay. 

Ah, many a richly dressed lad 
Is ragged and foul in God's sight. 

And many a fellow most wretchedly clad 
Wears really the robe of delight. 

So before you select a new shawl. 

And before a new bonnet is bought. 

Take heed to the garb that envelopes it all, 
The beautiful garment of thought. 


MY ALARM CLOCK. 

T HERE'S a little dumpy sergeant that 
calls me to the fray. 

Arousing me from slumber at five o'clock 
each day. 

At five o'clock precisely he hammers at my 
door. 

And breaks in forty pieces my most de- 
lightful snore. 




122 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


This little dumpy sergeant, so prompt and 
so precise, 

He calls me once with vigor, but he never 
calls me twice. 

If I choose not to hear him, and shut my 
eyes again. 

Why, I may wake myself up — at nine 
o^clock, or ten. 

There's another little sergeant, who ham- 
mers on my heart ; 

Who pommels me so briskly, he makes me 
sting and smart. 

While I lie down in darkness and shut my 
eyes to sin. 

This little sergeant. Conscience, awakes me 
with his din. 

But ah, this little sergeant, so prompt and 
so precise, 

He also seldom calls me but once or twice 
or thrice. 

Wake up I " he cries, arouse you, or sleep 
forevermore I " 

Ah, heed the little sergeant while he is at 
the door ! 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


123 


A VALENTINE. 

W HITE paper, white paper, 

Blush red in your pleasure ; 
Fm writing a letter 
To Lucy, my treasure ; 

To bright little Lucy, 

My treasure untold. 

As sweet as the sunlight. 

As precious as gold. 

White paper, white paper. 

Now clothe yourself over 
W’^ith scents of the meadow. 

Warm soil, and the clover ; 

With odor of violets 
Fresh from the dew. 

For the sweetest of maiden-hands 
Soon will hold you. 

White paper, white paper. 

Break out into smiling. 

With curves of the wild vine 
Her fancy beguiling. 


124 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


With sweeps of the swallow, 
With tricks of the tree, 
For the merriest of maidens 
You’re going to see. 

White paper, white paper. 
Get eyes for the seeing 
Of Lucy, this dear little. 
Bright little being ! 

But if you are after 
The merriest bliss 
Get lips, my white paper. 
And ask for a kiss ! 


NOT A “MADE-OVER" YEAR. 

E dward wears a coat of blue. 

Not a thread that isn’t new ; 

Not a wrinkle, not a tear. 

Not the smallest stain is there ; 

How the dandy buttons shine 
On that garment superfine. 

And how Edward, through and through. 
Feels the coat supremely new ! 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


125 


Billy wears a coat of black, 

Rather flabby in the back, 

Rather shiny on the sleeve. 

And — a grease-spot, I believe. 

It is mended, cleaned, and pressed. 
And must answer for his best. 

Yet, for all his folks can do, 

Billy knows it isn't new I 

Here, my lassie and my lad. 

Is a New Year to be had. 

' Shall it be a year of black. 

Shiny sleeve and wrinkled back, 
Here a grim, persistent stain, 

There a spot that will remain. 
Shabby places half worn through. 
Mended up and made to do ? 

Nay, old Time ! with kindly heart 
Grant us all a good, fresh start ; 

Not a grief to carry on 
From the twelvemonth that is gone ; 
Not a hatred, shame, or fear 
That can soil the coming year I 
Thus alone, for me and you. 

Is the New Year truly new. 





FOR YOUNGSTERS 


127 


A COMPROMISE. 

O NCE two little gentlemen, very polite, 
Stepped up to a gate that was nar- 
row — quite. 

The one (who was very well-bred and thin) 
Was plainly intending to pass within. 

The other (remarkably bland and stout) 
Was just as surely resolved to pass out. 

Now what could the two little gentlemen 
do 

But say with a bow, “ After you “ After 
you ! ” 

And there they stood bowing, with courte- 
ous smile, 

Their hats in their hands, for a marvellous 
while ; 

For the thin little man was very well-bred. 
And the stout man had not a rude hair in 
his head. 

But there chanced that way a philosopher 
wise. 

Who sagely effected a compromise : 


128 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


That each in turn should go through the 
last ; 

Thus might the troublesome gate be passed. 
So first the courteous gentleman thin, 

With greatest reluctance passed within. 

And then the well-mannered gentleman 
stout, 

With polished obeisance made his way out. 
But sadly turned and went back that he 
Might share in the breach of courtesy I 
Then the thin little man stepped out once 
more, 

Contentedly where he was before. 

And thus having settled the difficult case, 
Each walked away with a jubilant face. 


OUR EDUCATION. 

W HEN we learn to write, 

DonT you see, don’t you see ? 
Then I’ll write to Dolly 
And she’ll write to me. 

When we learn the map, 

Don’t you know, don’t you know ? 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


129 


Then Dolly and I 

On our travels will go. 

When we learn to count, 

DonT you see, don’t you see? 

Then we’ll spend my dollar, 

Half for her, half for me. 

When we learn to read. 

Don’t you know, don’t you know ? 
Then Dolly and I 

To young ladies will grow ! 


OLD MR. GRUMPY. 

RAISE God ! Praise God ! ” the clover 
Jl said, “ for sunshine and the sky.” 

And “ Praise the Lord ! ” the brooklet 
sung, “ the rain is drawing nigh.” 

“ Thank God for frost,” the squirrel chirped, 
so kind to nuts and me.” 

“ For frost, that covers me with gold,” 
chimed in the maple-tree. 

And '' Praise the Lord for ripened seeds,” 
the chattering sparrows cried. 


130 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


“ And for the wind,” the seeds declared, 
that bears us far and wide.” 

“ Yes, praise the Lord ! Oh, praise the 
Lord ! ” though skies were blue or 
gray, 

The hymn of earth and heaven rang through- 
out the happy day. 

Now none of this old Grumpy heard ; he’s 
deaf as deaf can be. 

This weather’s vilest of the vile ! a beastly 
day ! ” said he. 


SAYING AND DOING. 

I T isn’t the talk that will count, bo^^s. 

But the doing that springs from the 
talk. 

To what will your walking amount, boys. 
With no goal at the end of your-Avalk ? 

What’s the use of a ladder set up, boys. 
With the end resting only on air? 

What’s the use of a nobly filled cup, boys. 
If no one to drink it is there ? 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


131 


What’s the use of a capital plan, boys, 

That never is more than a scheme ? 

He makes a poor, scatter-brained man, boys. 
That begins in his boyhood to dream. 

No ; talk on and plan as you will, boys. 
But remember, if you would succeed. 

It isn’t the talk that shows skill, boys. 

But the end of the talking, — the deed ! 


CLOUD SONG. 

C LOUDS and I, clouds and I, 
Through the year together ; 
High and low, low and high. 

Fair and cloudy weather. 
Pouting now, smiling now. 

Lips of clouds and my lips ; 
Wrinkled sky, wrinkled brow. 
Eyes are wet and sky drips. 
Singing sky, singing soul. 
Thrushes sing and I sing ; 
Shafts of light through the whole 
Heaven and earth uniting. 
Clouds afloat, clouds a-heap. 
Clouds in dances changing ; 


132 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Clouds and I, half asleep, 

Through the sweet sky ranging. 
Clouds of red, clouds of gray. 
Bursts of color-glory ; 

Rosy day, weeping day, 

Shifting human story. 

High and low, low and high. 

Fair and stormy weather ; 
Clouds and I, clouds and I 
Through the year together. 


THE DANGEROUS DOG. 

T he dangerous dog in the drawing- 
room lay. 

And snapped at the houseflies that came 
in his way. 

I^m a dangerous canine ! ” he said. 

'' Beware how you trouble a creature of 


But his speech was cut short as he hap- 
pened to spy 

A bumble-bee close to his head I 






»34 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


OVER THE SKY. 

A boating song. 

R OW, row, row, row, 

Josie and I are rowing. 

Over the sky, and over the clouds. 
And over the tree-tops going. 

Glide, glide, glide, glide. 

Shadow and sunshine sifting, 
Into the blue, and into the dark, 
And into the golden drifting. 


Swift, swift, swift, swift. 

Swift flow the lilies by us ; 
Sleepy-head turtles from low-lying log 
Lazily blink and eye us. 


Drift, drift, drift, drift. 

Broad is the stream and steady. 
Narrowing now to a frolicsome flow 
With many a dimpling eddy. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


135 


Slow, slow, slow, slow, 

Josie and I together. 

Josie is fair as a lily bud 

And sweet as the summer weather. 

Row, row, row, row, 

Josie and I are rowing ; 

Over the sky and over the sun 

And out of the world we are going. 


JUST RIGHT. 

O H, WOULD I were little, to dance with 
the leaves 

That flittingly, trippingly frolic so gay ; 
We'd roll down the roofs and we'd race 
through the eaves. 

And over the village we'd scamper away ; 
Yes, over the village we'd rustle away. 

And would I were bigger, to dance with the 
trees 

That bend to each other, so stately and 
fine ; 


136 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


I’d swing on their boughs with the rollick- 
ing breeze, 

And oh, for a partner the birch should be 
mine ; 

The dainty and delicate birch should be 
mine. 

But stay ! I believe I’ll remain as I am, 

J ust not very little and not very tall ; 

For now I can frolic with Susie and Sam, 

And that is far better, far better than all ; 

Far better than house-tops and tree-tops 
and all ! 


COBWEBS. 

L ittle fairy kerchiefs 

Spread on the grass to dry ; 
Little fairy hammocks 
Swinging in branches high. 

Funny fairy cables 
Stretched through the airy sea ; 

Funny fairy bridges 
Reaching from tree to tree. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


137 


Dainty fairy ladders 
Scaling the garden wall, 
Dainty net to catch them, — 
If fairies ever fall I 

Busy fairy workman, 

Spider of gorgeous hue. 

Should I steal your glue-pot. 
What would the fairies do ? 


HURRY AND SPEED. 

W HILE Speed is filling the bottle. 
Hurry is spilling the ink ; 

While Speed is solving the problem. 
Hurry’s beginning to think. 

While Speed is hitting the bull’s-eye. Hurry 
is stringing his bow ; 

While Hurry is marching his army. Speed 
is worsting his foe. 

Hurry is quick at beginning. Speed is quick 
at the end. 

Hurry wins many a slave, but Speed wins 
many a friend. 









FOR YOUNGSTERS 


139 


CHRISTMAS WATCHERS. 

B efore wee Donald went to bed 
To Towser and to Puss he said, 
Softly, that no one else might hear. 
Whispering into each furry ear : 

“ Towser I Puss I This very night 
A little man, dressed all in white. 

And with a monstrous great big pack 
Tied on his funny little back, 

Is coming down the chimney wide. 
Leaving his reindeer fast outside. 

He’ll fill my stocking, top and toe, 
Then give a nod, and away he’ll go I 
O dear, what wouldn’t I give to see 
The saint that fills the Christmas tree I 
But all the grown-up folks have said 
That I must go right off to bed. 

But Towser I Puss I they’ll let you stay 
After they all have gone away ; 

So keep awake, my dears, and try 
The good St. Nicholas to spy. 


140 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Find out for me, dears, if he looks 
Just like his pictures in the books ; 

His eyes, and nose, and mouth, and 
cheeks. 

The things he does, the words he speaks. 
His sleighbells’ jingle down the street, 
The stamping of the reindeers’ feet. 

And everything you hear and see. 
Remember it, my dears, for me.” 

And so our Donald goes to bed. 

With thoughts of Santa in his head. 
While Puss and Towser, by the fire. 

With eager eyes that never tire, 

And curious, attentive ears. 

Are watching till the saint appears. 


ONE KIND OF LONG LIFE. 

F or the busy worker 

Fleet the minutes run ; 
For the groaning sluggard 
Crawls a languid sun. 
Would you live a 1-o-n-g life? 
Live a lazy one ! 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


141 


THE CASTLE OF TWENTY YEARS 
HENCE. 

I ^M a common young fellow, I don't own 
a mine, 

And I needs must look after the pence. 
Yet, my lad, I am lord of a castle divine. 
The castle of Twenty Years Hence. 

I have worries and flurries and trial and 
doubt, 

I have trouble of body and brain. 

Just like all the creatures that travel about 
These highways of joy and of pain. 

But a leap of the mind, lad, and lo ! I'm 
secure 

From those sorrows of soul and of sense, 
For I've entered a fortress where solace is 
sure. 

The castle of Twenty Years Hence. 

What matters it, pray, though some scoffers 
may say 

That there is no such castle at all ? 


142 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Or in life or in death they must enter, some 

day, 

Its open and opulent hall. 

And what matters it, pray, that my body 
must stay 

Firmly bound by the stern present tense, 

Since my spirit is free, and has fled far 
away 

To the castle of Twenty Years Hence? 

Oh, the walls of that castle are built of de- 
light, 

And its floors have a carpet of peace. 

As I pass the wide portal my sorrows take 
flight. 

And all my sad worriments cease. 

The fumes of to-day, and the frets of to-day. 

They are nothing, when looked at from 
thence ; 

Yes, a mount to a molehill may dwindle 
away 

When gazed at from Twenty Years 
Hence. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


H3 


For its windows, my lad, have a marvellous 
skill, 

As I view all the path I have trod ; 

They can soften its hardness, and blot out 
its ill. 

And show me the goodness of God. 

When the world is awry, lad, and fortune 
unkind. 

And the storm-clouds are angry and 
dense, 

Take a leap in your mind and I think you 
will find 

Your castle of Twenty Years Hence. 


THE GIFTS. 

I N the grass lay little Elsie on a fairy 
holiday. 

And she got a fairy blessing from whatever 
came that way. 

For a spider brought her patience, and the 
house dog brought her love. 

And the wise birds brought her music from 
the heavens up above. 


144 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


And a brown bee gave her sweetness, and 
the elm-tree gave her grace, 

And a butterfly brought beauty to her 
dainty baby face. 

And the sunshine gave her gladness, and 
the blue sky gave her peace, 

And the oak-tree up above her gave her 
health and strength's increase. 

So we lifted little Elsie from her hiding in 
the grass. 

And the blessed years soon told us what 
the fairies brought to pass. 


TOM’S TOOTH. 

T he word went forth in Fairyland, 
(From ugly fays, in sooth !) 

“ Young Tom's had too much candy ; 
He needs an aching tooth ! " 

So Fever hurried from the south. 

And from the west came Grumps, 
And from the east came Puffy Face, 
And from the north came Thumps. 




146 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


They quickly spied a hollow tooth 
(Where Tom had failed to brush) ; 

They clapped their little, impish hands, 
And made a silent rush. 

They thumped the tooth, they banged the 
tooth, 

The mocking, cruel crew ; 

They rasped the nerve, they ground the 
nerve. 

They pierced it through and through. 

From nine o’clock till twelve o’clock 
They racked the groaning child. 

Till Tom was “ almost crazy,” 

His mother, “ fairly wild.” 

At length between his moans and cries 
Young Tom was heard to say, 

“ I’ll give my teeth less candy. 

And brush them twice a day.” 

Bang, bang ! The impish fairy four 
Each dealt a parting thwack. 

Then off they flew, east, west, north, south. 
And nevermore came back. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


HI 


THE GOOD GIRL. 


S HE’S a good little girl, — “ Good for 
what ? ” did you say ? 

Why, good as a kitten to purr and to 
play ; 

And good as a brooklet to sing on its way ; 
And good as the sunshine to brighten the 
day. 

To what shall I liken the dear little elf? 
She’s as good as — as good as — as good as — 
herself I 


A SERMON FROM THE PEW IN FRONT. 

HERE’S a lesson you may learn 



X When the little children turn 
Squarely, fairly, in their pew. 

And as squarely gaze at you. 

Sweet their eyes are, sweet and pure. 
Modest also and demure. 


148 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Happy, innocent, sincere, 
Gazing with no thought of fear. 

Should the older people thus 
Turn about and look at us, 
Would their gaze as steady be, 
Truthful, brave, and folly free? 


A RECIPE FOR A DAY. 

T ake a little dash of water cold. 
And a little leaven of prayer. 

And a little bit of morning gold 
Dissolved in the morning air. 

Add to your meal some merriment 
And a thought for kith and kin, 

And then as your prime ingredient 
A plenty of work throw in. 

But spice it all with the essence of love, 
And a little whiff of play. 

Let a wise old Book and a glance above 
Complete the well-made day. 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


149 


A RAINBOW FOUNDATION. 

O NCE a spider built a cobweb on a rain- 
bow bright and gay, 

For she thought its brilliant colors would 
entice her lawful prey. 

But alas ! The sun descended, and th6 
bright bow was no more, 

And the weeping, webless spider was left 
homeless as before. 

After this,” I heard her mutter to herself, 
“ ITl be content 

With foundations not so showy, but more 
firm and permanent ! ” 


THE LONELY LION. 

HE lion was lonely ; 

Said he, “ There is only 



One way of driving this gloom from me : 

I must enter into society ! ” 

So he asked the beasts in a manner quite 
hearty, 


150 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


To come to his cave for a little party. 

On the appointed day, 

In a frightened way, 

A parrot flew over his head to say 
That the beasts would be happy the lion to 
greet, 

But they very much feared he was out of 
meat ! 

Alas I ’’ the lion cried with a groan, 

** And must I then live forever alone ? ” 


COINCIDENCES. 

** TSNT it very lucky,’' I once heard a 
A youngster say, 

** That it never snows in summer, when the 
snow would melt away ? 

And wouldn’t it be dreadful if the sun rose 
in the night 

When the people all were gone to bed, their 
eyes shut tight ? 

And how do you account for this, that when 
our teacher’s crusty 

Our behavior’s always dreadful and our 
knowledge always rusty ? 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


151 


And isn’t it very fortunate that when her 
temper’s jolly 

We somehow never spoil it by poor lessons 
or by folly?” 


THE CONSPIRACY OF THE CLOTHES. 

M other called, and I called, and 
Father called, and Kate : 

Johnny I Johnny ! ” Get up, Johnny ! ” 
John, get up ! It’s late I ” 

Not a ripple, all our shouting, on the 
current of his dreams. 

Others, though, were lighter sleepers. 
Something else was roused, it seems. 

First a rustle, then a whisper, then a queer 
and muffled cry 

From the nook where Johnny’s jacket 
chanced in tumbled state to lie : 

Fie upon this lazy Johnny ! Brother 
Clothes, observe the sun ! 

Two full hours /ago, believe me, was this 
glorious day begun ! ” 




FOR YOUNGSTERS 


153 


Piped the cap from off the washstand, 
Oh, the sky is blue and red ! 

What a joy to look up at it from the top 
of Johnny’s head ! ” 

Groaned the shoes beneath the bureau, 
‘‘ Ah, the grass is cool and sweet ! 

What a frolic with the clover were we once 
on Johnny’s feet ! ” 

Socks and shirt and tie and trousers in 
indignant chorus cried, 

“ It’s a shame to make us lie here when the 
world’s so fine outside ! ” 


Friends,” the socks cried, let us punish 
this great sleepy, lazy lout. 

We, at least, when he does want us, will be 
found turned inside out ! ” 

Instantly the shirt assented, muttering with 
sarcastic cough, 

I’ve a button. Master Johnny, which I 
fear is coming off I ” 

And the shoestrings from the bureau added 
themselves to the plot : 

When Sir Johnny goes to tie us he will 
find an ugly knot.” 


154 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


Said the cap, I’ll run and hide me.” The 
suspenders, old and thin. 

Threatened breaking, and the necktie inno- 
cently lost its pin. 


Thus they schemed and thus they plotted, 
till at length persistent Kate 

Woke up lazy Master Johnny at precisely 
half-past eight — 

And the school at nine I Young Johnny, 
half-shut eyes and sleepy face. 

Falls to dressing in a panic, at a most 
alarming pace. 

But the shirt sticks to his elbows as he tries 
to draw it on, 

And, in all his lifetime, never were the 
socks so hard to don. 

The suspenders break. A button impolitely 
takes its leave. 

Johnny’s left arm gets acquainted with the 
right-arm jacket sleeve. 

The shoestrings knot and tangle, and un- 
seasonably snap. 

And ** Oh, mother, where’s my Reader ? ” 
and Oh, mother, where’s my cap ? ” 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


155 


There’s a hurry and a worry and a grumble 
and a fret, 

And a very scanty breakfast is the best that 
he can get. 

“ I do wonder,” thought young Johnny, 
stumbling, tardy, to his place 

In the midst of tittering schoolmates, with 
a very sheepish face, 

“ What’s the reason all goes wrong when a 
chap has overslept ? ” 

But he never understood it, for the clothes 
their secret kept. 


THE SECRET OF IT. 

‘‘ TT THERE does the clerk of the weather 
VV store 

The days that are sunny and fair ? ” 

“ In your heart is a room with a close-shut 
door. 

And all of those days are there.” 

'' Where does the clerk of the weather keep 
The days that are dreary and blue ? ” 


156 


ROLLICKING RHYMES 


In a second room in your heart they 
sleep, 

And you have the keys of the two/' 

And why are my days so often, I pray. 
Filled full of clouds and of gloom? " 
Because you go at the break of day 
And open the wrong heart-room." 


PLAYING DOMINOES. 

M istress morning — weii she knows 

How to play at dominoes 
With the children blithe and gay 
Wide awake at break of day. 

Down she throws her bluest skies, 

Matched by Mary with her eyes. 

Next she plays her breezes light, 

Matched with Lucy's laughter bright. 

Then she throws her sunshine true. 

Matched with smiles merry Lu. 

Flowers come now, sweet white and red. 
Matched by Josie's flower-like head. 

For each charm the morning throws 
In this game of dominoes, 


FOR YOUNGSTERS 


157 


Something sweet the children bring, 
Matching her in everything. 

If the game goes thus all day, 

Who will be the victor, pray ? 


“WALK IN LOVE.” 

W ALK in love ; the little midget 
On that happy Children’s Day, 
Short of memory, long of fidget. 

Just had this wee verse to say. 

And she said it ! shrilling highly 
All the children’s hum above. 

Her sweet face averted shyly. 

Thus she said it : “ Walk in. Love ! ” 

Ah, my dainty little maiden. 

Though the roomful laughed at you. 
Yet that rendering is laden 
With a meaning wise and true. 

Teach us, dear, to throw wide open 
Doors where waits the heavenly Dove. 
Ever be that glad word spoken. 

Morning, evening, Walk in. Love ! ” 


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